Amazon Fire TV Omni Series QLED review: Worth it for Alexa fans, and now $180 off

The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Collection QLED is the following evolution of Amazon’s TV choices, with an all-new QLED display for bolder colours, sharper detailing, and enhanced distinction. 

It additionally goals to give you an incredible streaming expertise with wealthy, clear audio from twin 12W audio system and entry to hundreds of reveals and films. 

The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Collection QLED even works as a gaming TV with a devoted gaming image mode to reinforce colour and detailing in order that characters and landscapes pop. 

Additionally: OLED vs QLED: Which is best?

Nevertheless, the most important strike in opposition to the Omni QLED is that numerous its cool performance is locked behind Alexa. Which means that with a view to get cool options like making voice or video calls, taking part in trivia, or checking the climate, you may have to purchase an Echo machine and arrange an Alexa profile if you do not have one already. 

Specs

Display screen dimension	65 inches
Panel kind	QLED
Working system	FireOS
HDR help	Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive
Audio system	Twin 12W
Audio	Dolby Digital Plus
VRR help	N/A
Refresh charge	60Hz
Connectivity	HDMI, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, AUX, Optical, Coax

Pricing 

The 65-inch Fireplace TV Omni Collection from Amazon retails for round $800, which is not a foul value for a decently sized display and the entire options. When you’re an avid Amazon or Alexa person, it is value each penny. When you aren’t, it’s kind of steep contemplating that you simply will not use half of the options. And requiring the added value of an Echo machine to unlock the TV’s full potential is a disappointment.

For the reason that FireOS is so intently tied to Amazon’s proprietary expertise, numerous the cool options are locked behind Alexa functionalities like Abilities. This downside is extra evident with the $1,100 price ticket for the 75-inch Fireplace TV Omni model, and highlighted additional by the decrease costs and considerably higher function units of competitor fashions. And proper now throughout Amazon’s Huge Spring Sale, you possibly can snag the 55-inch Omni QLED for simply over $400 (saving you $180).

For instance, the Hisense A6 65-inch usually sells for about $470 whereas nonetheless offering premium-grade options like Dolby Imaginative and prescient help, voice controls, and display mirroring. And TCL, the undisputed king of price range TVs, sells its 65-inch 5 Collection for round $500 whereas providing you with comparable image and sound in addition to VRR help for console gaming.

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For as nice as the brand new Omni Collection QLED fashions are, the worth is a giant sticking level for me, particularly since I personally do not use Alexa or need an Amazon-centric streaming expertise. Nevertheless, Amazon is at the moment working a sale on the 65-inch Omni Collection QLED, bringing the worth all the way down to $550 — that is rather more in keeping with what I feel this TV needs to be retailing for to start with, making it an incredible, budget-friendly choice in the event you’re seeking to improve.  

Image and sound

I’ve to confess that I wasn’t anticipating to be as impressed as I used to be with the image and sound high quality of the Omni Collection QLED. Since Amazon is so new to manufacturing, I used to be anticipating a bare-bones TV with fundamental options and satisfactory image and sound. And I’m very glad to be confirmed flawed.

The QLED panel positively looks like an enchancment over the earlier iteration, producing extra colours, higher distinction, and sharper detailing. It additionally helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ and HDR10+ for enhanced settings if you want it, which is nice information for film and TV present buffs. And it’s completely value going by means of the HDR calibration course of (which solely takes a couple of minutes) to fine-tune your pictures to get the most effective image doable.

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The TV additionally has a devoted gaming image mode. This provides your video games a much-needed visible enhance — particularly in the event you’re taking part in an older console or digital copy of an older sport. 

The adaptive HDR10+ settings routinely alter brightness, distinction, and colour to make scenes look sharper and extra eye-catching.

The TV additionally has built-in ambient gentle sensors, which routinely make the display brighter or dimmer based mostly in your atmosphere. Plenty of newer good TVs have this function. I am glad that Amazon included it on this mannequin improve. Our home catches numerous morning solar, which might make watching the morning information a bit troublesome on our Samsung TU-8000 (which does not have adaptive display brightness). 

One other small gripe I’ve with the Omni Collection QLED is the 60Hz refresh charge. Whereas that is completely tremendous for many streaming and broadcast leisure, in the event you’re an avid console gamer or sports activities fan, it leaves loads to be desired. And whereas I perceive there are licensing charges for supporting AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync particularly for gaming, common VRR help would have gone a great distance towards offering smoother on-screen motion. 

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The built-in audio system on the TV are a credit score to the redesign, nonetheless, offering wealthy, clear audio that does not sound tinny or muffled like some inventory TV audio system can. Dolby Digital Plus audio help additionally ensures that you will get deep bass notes, in addition to clear mid and excessive tones, so that you by no means miss a line of dialogue or little bit of music.

If you need a extra elaborate audio setup, you possibly can join your TV to Echo audio system to create a customized house audio answer or present whole-home audio for streaming music. This is a superb function that I want Amazon hadn’t shackled to its personal model. 

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I’d a lot somewhat see multi-device help for generic Bluetooth audio system and soundbars, since customers might need audio gear from completely different manufacturers somewhat than a home filled with Amazon-branded units. You may arrange non-Amazon audio system and soundbars with the TV however will not get that whole-home audio expertise, which is a disgrace.

Alexa and Amazon options

Because it’s meant to be the centerpiece of your Amazon or Alexa-centered good house community. the Omni QLED options native Alexa help through a voice-enabled distant, in addition to a four-microphone array constructed into the unit itself. If you do not have an Alexa account already, you need to use fundamental voice instructions for turning the TV on and off or launching sure apps. And if you need expanded, hands-free controls in addition to the power so as to add Abilities, you possibly can both hook up with an Echo machine or the Alexa companion app. Although you have to an Amazon account to signal into the Alexa app in addition to the TV itself to entry many enhanced options. 

When you resolve to obtain Alexa Abilities, you possibly can play music, video games, verify the climate, get every day trivia, and even make and obtain video calls. Abilities are what actually set the Omni QLED aside from comparable good TVs from opponents like TCL and Hisense. With out entry to those options, the Omni QLED is decreased to a reasonably bog-standard good TV with better-than-expected image and audio capabilities.  

Gaming

The place I used to be probably the most stunned with the Omni QLED is simply how effectively it does with console gaming. I arrange each my PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Change and ran this TV by means of each check and problem I might consider. And the Omni Collection QLED is greater than able to delivering a top quality console gaming expertise. 

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The devoted gaming mode is routinely enabled as quickly because the TV detects that your console is powered on and related, which is nice as a result of you do not have to navigate by means of any complicated menus to get the most effective image doable on your video games. This image mode routinely boosts distinction and colour to provide you sharp, clear pictures that make characters and landscapes actually pop.

I used to be most impressed with simply how nice Ghost of Tsushima seems to be, with its cinematic landscapes, wealthy character modeling, and sheer quantity of stuff on display at any given level. And even with the Omni QLED’s considerably lackluster 60Hz refresh charge, I by no means had any points with display tearing or artifacting; and I by no means had any points with movement blur feeling extreme or like an annoyance. 

It does get a bit tough when taking part in rhythm video games, as it could possibly throw you for a loop when attempting to hit difficult beat combos, however it would not detract from most video games.

The Change seems to be good on this TV as effectively, particularly since many Nintendo titles have daring colours and attention-grabbing artwork route that work very well with the QLED panel. The unique Paper Mario seems to be clear, if clunky as compared with later entries to the sequence, and Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Reminiscence is a delight. 

I often play console video games with a headset so I can higher choose up on audio cues and dialogue, however the built-in audio system of the Omni QLED present loud and clear audio that does not make you miss out on tremendous particulars like wind by means of bushes, delicate music, and quiet character conversations. 

When you’re available in the market for a TV strictly for console gaming, I might extremely suggest the Omni QLED. Even on the full $800, it is nonetheless a stable choice in opposition to opponents from manufacturers like Sony and LG in the case of image high quality and a smoother, extra pleasant gameplay expertise.

Streaming

This TV was constructed from the bottom as much as be a one-stop-shop not just for streaming Amazon Originals and Prime Video choices, however streaming from each certainly one of your favourite apps. Upon startup, the Omni QLED drops you proper into the FireOS house display, which places Prime reveals and films entrance and heart. You may also entry Amazon’s different video streaming companions like Freevee from the house display as effectively to look at free motion pictures and reveals with advertisements. 

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The Omni QLED comes with a small suite of preloaded apps to get you began, however you may should manually obtain fashionable choices like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ if you need them. This course of is not any large deal, as many new good TVs solely supply a small number of preloaded streaming choices. However to not a minimum of produce other Amazon-owned apps like Twitch preloaded and able to go is an odd option to me. 

One other house display problem I’ve is the advertisements. They are not fairly as invasive or annoying as what you’d see on a Kindle, however a great portion of the house display is taken up by advertisements for numerous Amazon-produced reveals and films, streaming companions, and even ideas for organising and configuring your new TV. 

Whereas these are usually useful for locating new issues to look at, in the event you’re completely in opposition to advertisements, it is one thing to bear in mind. Particularly since they do not at all times load on startup, leaving your TV display a void of varied shades of grey.

After getting your entire apps downloaded, you then should configure your quick-selection menu. It is not a very troublesome or time-consuming job, however it’s a small annoyance that not too long ago used apps do not present up on the house display routinely. You must entry your full library by going to the settings menu, the place you possibly can then add your favourite streaming providers to your quick-access menu. 

Fortunately, you actually solely have to do that as soon as in the event you’re like me and also you persist with only a handful of streaming apps; however in the event you like to change issues up loads, you are going to spend so much of time tweaking your quick-access checklist.

Together with apps, you too can share your cell machine screens through AirPlay or Chromecast. I’ll say that when the Omni QLED arrived at my home, I had fairly a little bit of bother getting AirPlay to work correctly. I ended up contacting Amazon for troubleshooting assist. One manufacturing facility reset and several other firmware updates later, we had been capable of get the problem mounted.

So in the event you’re having points sharing something through AirPlay or Chromecast, I recommend checking the settings menu for the newest firmware replace. And if that does not work, a great old style reset often takes care of any software program or connectivity weirdness. Which sadly means you may should undergo your setup and residential display configuration course of once more.

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As soon as I acquired AirPlay to work correctly, it was pretty simple to stream Twitch broadcasts, TikTok movies, and YouTube clips to the TV. A couple of picture high quality points cropped up, like bizarre white balancing and washed-out colours, however I chalk this as much as the best way display mirroring works somewhat than any fault with the TV. And except you propose on scrolling by means of your TikTok FYP for hours, you are not going to note a lot of a distinction anyway. 

Animation is one other space the place this TV actually comes into its personal. Whether or not you are watching brand-new reveals or childhood favorites, the Omni QLED can produce brilliant, vivid colours that make each body really feel cleaner and extra thrilling. Total image high quality varies fairly a bit, relying on the age of the animated present or film you are attempting to look at. However even unique episodes of Dexter’s Laboratory look clear and sharp; there’s somewhat “fuzziness” at occasions with older reveals and films on the whole, as a result of decision limitations of the time. However the 4K upscaling does an incredible job of bringing out tremendous particulars with out ruining the allure. 

Backside line 

On the finish of the day, the Amazon Fireplace TV Omni Collection QLED is a run-of-the-mill good, 4K TV that goals to supply a stable streaming expertise for Amazon and Alexa customers. When you’re not an avid Alexa or Amazon fan, you possibly can nonetheless get numerous mileage out of this TV, particularly in the event you’re in search of a extra inexpensive TV for console gaming. 

The devoted gaming image mode lets colours and particulars pop whereas the built-in audio system present clear, clear audio. And even older cartoons and movies look superb with upscaled 4K decision, letting you revisit childhood favorites in a satisfying method.

Most of the cool options are inextricably linked to Alexa performance, so if you need to have the ability to take full benefit of the Omni QLED, you may should spend money on an Echo machine and arrange an Alexa account. And this motive alone is why I feel the $800 price ticket is only a contact on the excessive aspect for this TV, since with out Alexa Abilities, it is only a fundamental QLED mannequin. However proper now, you may get the 65-inch Omni QLED for simply $550 at Amazon, which is a way more acceptable value level to my thoughts.

Options to think about 

The Hisense A6 provides comparable image and audio high quality together with options like Dolby Imaginative and prescient, display mirroring, and a devoted sport mode. Although its checklist value is $470, it is at the moment on sale for about $80 lower than the Omni’s sale value and greater than half of the Omni Collection QLED’s retail value, making it an incredible choice for budget-conscious buyers. 

TCL is finest identified for its budget-friendly good TVs. However simply because they’re on the cheaper aspect does not imply they’re cheaply constructed. The 65-inch 5-Collection additionally makes use of a QLED panel with Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ help in addition to 40 distinction management zones for enhanced detailing and distinction. It additionally has a devoted sport mode, however the place it differs from the Omni Collection QLED is that the 5-Collection helps VRR expertise. This syncs the TV’s refresh charge with that of your console’s video output, stopping annoying display tearing and stuttering. The Omni QLED is locked at 60Hz, the place the 5-Collection is extra versatile for smoother movement.

The LG QNED80 is one other nice different to the Omni Collection QLED. It retails for about the identical because the Omni’s retail value, however beats out the Omni QLED with a 120Hz refresh charge, Nvidia GeForce Now help, and Bluetooth encompass sound help. It additionally helps AMD FreeSync Premium VRR for smoother movement whereas gaming. The QNED80 additionally makes use of AI to create digital encompass sound, so you do not have to arrange additional audio system for excellent movie and TV audio or music. 

Editor’s Observe: We had initially said that customers have to have Alexa-enabled units just like the Echo Present or Echo Dot to take full benefit of the Fireplace TV Omni QLED’s full suite of options. We have now discovered that the Alexa app permits customers to entry these options, although customers nonetheless want an Amazon account to make use of Alexa by means of the app. The overview has been up to date to replicate up to date data from extra testing and spec sheets supplied by Amazon.